Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Stephan Bogardus, North Fork Table & Inn

Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company returns Saturday, July 23, but to a new Bridgehampton location—the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox. Chef Stephan Bogardus from the famous North Fork Table & Inn will be heading down from Southold for this huge foodie gathering.

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
Mother Nature is a driving force for me and one of the ways I find balance in life. She graces us with such fantastic produce to work with and such natural beauty that many times our only obligation is to do her justice.

What local ingredients are you using right now?
As many as possible. All year round we source as many products as possible from out farming friends. From 8 Hands Farm lamb, Browder’s Birds eggs to Invincible Summer Farms tomatoes and peppers. We purchase local not just to support the producers but because the products are of the highest quality available!

What do you think of the Montauk Fishburger?
Any programs working toward sustainability, education and dedication to our ecosystem gets two thumbs way up from us!

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
Summer time is all about fish and lightly handled vegetables. Most likely I would serve Striped Bass.

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
Dietary restrictions and allergies are taken into account while preparing the menu each day. Recently different grains have gained more popularity like quinoa, and lentils instead of bulgur and rye berries.

What are you most looking forward to at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks?
The sense of community we are able to take part in, seeing our guests face to face and having a chance to see other chefs out and about is always a pleasure!

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of my many uses for duck fat but she would approve of the flavor I get from a good confit!

I could survive on a desert island if I just had: coffee, sparkling water, Swiss chard and lentils.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton hosted by Adam Richman on Friday, July 22 and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. VIP tickets for GrillHampton are $185 and offer early access to the event beginning at 7 p.m. General Admission, from 8 p.m.–10:30 p.m., is $135. VIP tickets for Taste of Two Forks are $295 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $185.

The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphy and Eden Grinshpan premieres on Saturday, July 30. General Admission for ClambakeMTK, from 7:30–10 p.m., is $150. VIP tickets are $250, and include access to the after-party from 10 p.m.–12 a.m.

Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian, is Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. VIP tickets for Harvest East End are $285 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $135.

A portion of this year’s ticket proceeds from GrillHampton and Taste of Two Forks will benefit All For The East End (AFTEE), a 501(c)(3) that showcases and provides support to the more than 1,000 charity organizations in the five

East End towns. A portion of proceeds from Harvest East End benefits Long Island Farm Bureau and HRHCare.

To purchase tickets and get more info on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com.